BALTIMORE - It is very difficult to beat the Nationals' Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper on the same night. Unfortunately, about 33 times this season opponents will have to contend with just that dilemma. That was what faced the Orioles on Wednesday night. Scherzer struck out six batters, including the last four batters he faced, in the first three frames. Harper crushed his 18th homer, a solo shot off of a 3-2 pitch from Orioles starter David Hess, in the third inning. Chris Davis singled with...

The decision on Danny Valencia's return to the Orioles rests entirely with the player and his family. Valencia went on paternity leave today following the birth of his first child, Oliver, early this morning. He can be away from the club for a maximum of three days, but is allowed to come back sooner. It's a different rule if a player goes on bereavement leave. He has to be gone for the three full days. "That's completely up to Danny and his wife (Jocelyn)," said manager Buck Showalter....

BALTIMORE - Nationals manager Davey Martinez announced that outfielder Adam Eaton (out with an ankle injury since April 9) will go out on a rehab assignment beginning on Friday, most likely with Double-A Harrisburg at home. "He ran today, looked really good," Martinez said. "So he's getting ready to go out to rehab this weekend. He'll get first maybe two at-bats, maybe three and then we'll go from there. We haven't decided where to go yet. Based on weather, we'll see where we send...

After taking the first two games of this series by 6-0 and 3-2 scores, the Washington Nationals can complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles tonight. The last and only Nats' three-game sweep in Baltimore was June 12-14, 2007. Coming into this series, the Orioles were 15-7 at home versus Washington since the 2013 season. Coming into the series, the Orioles were 7-4 in their previous 11 home games this year, but they've scored just two runs on 16 hits and have gone 1-for-8 with runners in...

Third baseman Jace Peterson tonight will become the seventh different Orioles hitter to bat leadoff this year. And by the way, it's only three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals that he has to face. Trey Mancini has hit leadoff 43 times, Chris Davis five times, Craig Gentry three times, Tim Beckham twice, and once each for Jonathan Schoop and Joey Rickard. Peterson, hitting .178/.310/.274 with five doubles, a triple, no homers and nine RBIs over 27 games, now...

The Orioles will recall left-hander Donnie Hart for tonight's game as the replacement for infielder Danny Valencia, who's been placed on the paternity list. Valencia is the proud father of a baby boy, Oliver, born a little after 6 a.m. Though Valencia can be away from the club for a maximum of three days, he's allowed to come back sooner if he chooses. Meanwhile, Hart gives the Orioles a fresh left-hander after Tanner Scott pitched in two of the last three games. Hart hasn't pitched in four...

BALTIMORE - For the fourth consecutive road series, the Nationals have the chance for a series sweep after winning the first two games of a three-game set. The Nats are riding a five-game win streak and have won nine in a row on the road. The road streak is tied with the 2011 Nationals, who won nine in a row from Sept. 12 to Sept. 26, 2011. And for the first time in his young career, left fielder Juan Soto is going to leadoff. Last night the 19-year-old produced his first three-hit major league...

Jace Peterson inherited the leadoff spot tonight for the Orioles as they try to salvage a game of their series against the Nationals. Peterson is playing third base while Danny Valencia is away from the team for the birth of his child. Chris Davis moves down to sixth in the order after batting cleanup last night. Joey Rickard is in right field. Max Scherzer is 5-2 with a 3.20 ERA and 1.052 WHIP in 10 career starts against the Orioles. He's struck out 85 batters in 70 1/3 innings. In five...

We like to focus on the bad. All of our articles and tweets are about what the Nationals are doing wrong, how they are struggling and where they need to improve. I'm as guilty of doing this as anyone. But here's the bottom line that we're ignoring: The Nationals are actually good. In the midst of all their injuries and offensive struggles, the Nationals snuck up on us and became good again. The month of May was a revelation. So far this month they've gone 18-6, which is the best in...

BALTIMORE - The firsts for a new major league player normally play out over the course of a season and beyond. But when you are 19-year-old Juan Soto, you get all the boxes checked in the first nine days. Soto added to his spectacular start with a 3-for-3 Tuesday night, his first three-hit game of his career, as the Nationals got by the Orioles 3-2 for their fifth consecutive win. His average is .393. Soto also stole his first base, threw out his first batter from left field on a 7-6-2 outfield...